—  842  — 
changing  consciousness,  and  that  would  be  a  contradiction  to  your  own  doc- 
trine). As  to  us  we  by  no  means  maintain  that  the  Buddha  has  an  imme- 
diate direct  knowledge  of  all  (moments)  and  that  this  is  the  reason  of  his  being 
called  «the  Omniscient». 
Vatsiputriya.  How  is  it  then? 
Vasubandhu.  He  is  possessed  of  the  gift  of  omniscience  in  the  sense 
that  the  continuity  of  life  which  is  called  «the  Buddha»  has  the  force  .of  pro- 
ducing the  right  knowledge  of  any  object  he  may  like  to  know  by  simply 
directing  his  attention  towards  it.  It  has  been  said : 
«Not  in  the  sense  of  «all  at  опеё» 
Admit  we  omniscience, 
But  gradually  it  operates 
Like  fire  every  thing  consuming!)) 
Vatsiputriya.  How  can  it  be  proved  (that  the  Buddha  is  no  permanent 
personality,  but  a  stream  of  changing  elements)? 
Vasubandhu.  It  follows  from  the  fact  that  there  are  past,  future  and 
present  Buddhas),  as  stated  in  Scripture. 
(Vatsiputriya.  Where  has  it  been  declared?) 
Vasubandhu,  There  is  (a  verse  in  Scripture)  running  thus: 
«Be  it  the  Buddhas  of  the  past 
Be  it  the  Buddhas  of  the  future 
Be  it  the  Buddhas  of  the  present 
They  all  remove  the  suffering 
Of  many  sensient  beings». 
Since  you  yourself  are  likewise  maintaining  that  what  appears  in  the 
three  times  are  elements  only  and  no  permanent  personality,  (therefore  it  is 
clear  that  there  is  no  Ego  outside  the  elements,  nor  is  there  any  Omniscient 
Ego,  because  this  would  be  irreconciliable  with  the  temporary  character  of 
these  elements). 
[§  8.  Examination  of  the  parable  of  the  burden  and 
the  carrier]. 
100.  a.  3        Vatsiputriya.  If  the  Individual  is  nothing  else  but  the  elements  (it  is 
la™°)-  composed  of),  what  for  then  has  it  been  declared  by  Buddha:  «0,  Brethren! 
I  shall  explain  unto  you  the  burden  (of  life)  and  moreover  I  will  explain  the 
takmg  up  of  the  burden,  the  laying  aside  of  it  and  who  the  carrier  is !»  («Listen 
